FF: Hold onto those hold opens.
This elementary school fire door "fix" is one way to keep the wedges from disappearing but might be tough to explain when the fire marshal shows up for an inspection.
Distance Learning this Week
The opportunities for distance learning continue, and here's what's on the docket for this week. The recording of my fire door session from last Friday is available on-demand, along with the Q&A from the session.
FF: What’s the big deal??
Have you ever pointed out a door problem to someone and had them respond with a shrug and some form of "so what"? A fire door is held open improperly...so what - chances are slim that the building will catch on fire today. Right??
Application of the PASS Guidelines (and more!)
There's more virtual training available this week, and an early notification of a session being hosted next week by DHI and DSSF. This webinar covers application of the 5th edition of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools Guidelines.
WW: My work here is done.
There were plenty of times over the years when my kids reluctantly tolerated my "teachable moments" about life safety. I'm so happy to know that some of it stuck! I hope you are talking to your family and friends about doors! :-)
Security in 30 – Encore!
Security in 30 is BACK, and I'm so excited that one of the requested topics is...CODES! If you are an access control integrator, please join me next Friday, February 19th at 12:30 EST, for Security in 30: Live with Allegion.
Does your garage have a fire door?
If you have a garage attached to your home, it is very likely that the swinging door between the garage and the house is required by code to be a 20-minute fire door assembly or the equivalent. Here's why...
On the Schedule This Week
It's hard to believe that it has been so many months since we've been able to gather in a classroom together, but during that time Allegion has provided more than 150 online classes. Here's what's coming up this week...
WW: Fire Door Field Modification
At first glance this may look like just another creative Fixed-it Friday alteration, but upon deeper investigation it's a cringe-worthy Wordless Wednesday application. How will this opening protective perform during a fire? Who knows??
WW: Fire Door – Do Not Block
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo is shared with permission from Vince Davis, who posted it on the Fire and Life Safety Inspectors Facebook page. If this is a fire door it's got some other issues, but the egress problem is clear.
2020 Top 20
In 2020, iDigHardware readers visited the site more than half a million times and spent thousands of hours reading my posts and articles. These are the most popular posts of 2020...did you miss any?
New Year, New Opportunities
It's a new year, and the online training opportunities continue! Here's what's available this week in both the Allegion 101 series and the Webinar Wednesday series. Feel free to share this information with others in your office.
WWYD? Sound-Activated Automatic-Closing Devices
I have not commonly seen automatic-closing devices on fire door assemblies released by the sound of the fire alarm system vs. the detection of smoke, but maybe it's a viable option for the US market? WWYD?
Door Closers are Life Savers
Blaming fire victims for leaving the door open as they escape is not the answer. And why wait for a tragedy to occur before enacting laws that require existing apartment doors to be self-closing?
FF: Another Day…
...Another propped-open fire door. When are people going to learn?? If you don't know why this is a problem, click the link to watch a video that will teach you all about fire door assemblies.
There’s still time…to learn
As 2020 (finally) draws to a close, we have year-end projects to finish and hopefully some down-time with our families. But there's still time to learn, and our training team has plenty of options available.
The Art of Shimming a Door
Having the proper clearance around a door helps the door to close and latch correctly, affecting function, security, egress, accessibility, and fire protection, so knowing how to shim a door can come in really handy.
2021 Model Code Update – What’s New? (January/February 2021)
The 2021 code development cycle is complete, and although it may take some time for the new model codes to be adopted, it’s important to know what changes to expect.
Minneapolis High Rise Fire – Lessons Learned
We MUST continue to educate people on the importance of keeping their fire door assemblies performing properly. An annual fire door inspection could have saved lives in this fire.
REEB: Understanding Fire Door Ratings
Someone asked me recently why distributors are still ordering swinging fire doors with a neutral pressure fire rating. I don't know the answer to that...do you?
6 Locked Doors & More
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
Looking Forward & Looking Back
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
Counterfeit UL Labels
Fire door assemblies with counterfeit labels - am I the only one who finds this an extremely disturbing idea? Who knows how these doors will perform if there is a fire???
FF: Go to the Mat
I can't say for sure that is a fire door assembly, but I've seen this Fixed-it Friday application on fire doors many times in school gymnasiums.
Stop by and “see” me this Saturday!
Do you have some free time on Saturday? I'll be participating in a (free) virtual trade show and I'd love to have you stop by my virtual booth and visit!
FF: Exterior Fire Protection
Fire door assemblies aren't just something you read about in NFPA 80 - they have an important role in the passive fire protection of a building. Here's another fire door win!
SDI: Fire Door Inspection Checklist (video)
The Steel Door Institute (SDI) just released a new video that covers the annual inspection requirements for fire door assemblies. Feel free to share it!
Upcoming Training / Code Update
I'm finishing up my presentation for the DHI conNextions conference - covering the changes to the 2021 model codes, and I need your help!!
This Week’s Training Opportunities
In case you missed Paul Timm's webinar last week, the recording is now available. And...our national trainers will be conducting 4 live sessions tomorrow.
FDIS finds three quarters of fire doors failed inspections in 2019
Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is a UK-based organization dedicated to fire door safety. Sharing this information about US fire doors could improve building safety.
WW: Stairwell Reentry
These WW photos illustrate a creative attempt at meeting the requirements for stairwell reentry, while inadvertently voiding the fire door label.
FF: Auditorium Fire Exit Hardware
If your fire exit hardware shows up on the job-site without the dogging feature, there's a good reason for that. Homemade dogging is not a valid fix!
QQ: Does NFPA 80 “trump” the ADA?
Today's Quick Question: Do the requirements of NFPA 80 "trump" the ADA requirements? Is fire protection more important than accessibility?
More (and More) e-Learning
I think online learning is here to stay. Which doesn't mean that we'll never see each other in person again, but there's a lot we can learn in the meantime.
WWYD? Questions about Relabeling?
I have an opportunity to do a Q&A with a company offering field relabeling/recertification of fire door assemblies, and I want to make sure that I don't miss any questions you may have.
Touchless Fire Doors
Several questions were prompted by my recent webinar on touchless hardware, about the requirements addressing automatic operators and non-latching hardware on fire doors.
Last Call!
There are SO MANY great opportunities to learn something new this week! Please share this list with any of your colleagues who might be interested!
Touchless Openings (and more!)
Many facility managers are exploring ways to reduce the transmission of germs in their buildings, but don't forget about the code requirements!
QQ: Cladding on a Fire Door Assembly
Today's Quick Question is a very common one...Can cladding materials be applied to the face of a fire door assembly?
Code Update: Terminated Stops on Fire Door Assemblies
I have had quite a few questions about terminated stops on fire door assemblies, so this change to the 2021 IBC should help to clarify what is allowed by code.
Tomorrow is Webinar Wednesday
Our national trainers are continuing with their Webinar Wednesday series - classes are currently scheduled into August. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues.
Introduction to the Code Requirements for Electrified Hardware
Many of you already know this (900 of you have already signed up), but this Thursday I will be presenting another webinar. If you're on the fence about whether to attend, this post might help.
Don’t take my word for it.
In case you missed this short paragraph in the NFPA Journal article I shared on Monday, I wanted to bring it to your attention since several iDigHardware readers emailed me about it...
NFPA: Fire and Life Safety Insights for Reopening Buildings
NFPA has compiled more than a dozen new resources including videos, fact sheets, and news releases, which can all be found at nfpa.org/coronavirus.
This Week’s Webinars
This week we have 5 different webinars available, so you can continue your training online. Check out the options - there's something for everyone!
SDI: Fire Door Assembly Inspections 101
I receive a lot of questions about the code requirements for fire door assembly inspections, so when the Steel Door Institute asked me to write an article on the subject, I was more than willing!
QQ: Field Labeling of Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question: Can an existing fire door be labeled in the field for a higher rating than what it was originally listed for?
WW: Another Day…
Raise your hand if you've seen a fire door like this. Now wave a virtual hello! :D A fire barrier can't do its job with a big hole in it!
QQ: Sealant/Caulk Around Fire Door Frames
Today's Quick Question: Is sealant required around a fire door frame - where it meets the sheetrock?
QQ: Manufacturing Tolerances on Fire Doors
If NFPA 80 requires 1/8-inch or 3/16-inch maximum perimeter clearance for fire door assemblies, is it acceptable to add the manufacturing tolerance to that dimension?